In 2025, digital sales skills are essential for any practising sales professional operating in today’s increasingly online and tech-driven sales marketplace. They encompass a broad range of capabilities that help modern targeted sales professionals connect with new or existing customers, identify needs, and close deals effectively in a digitally enhanced environment.
Here’s a breakdown of ten key digital skills and abilities salespeople now need:
1 – Digital Tools:
- CRM Software: Proficiency with tools like Salesforce or HubSpot for managing interactions.
- Sales Automation: Familiarity with tools that automate follow-ups and lead scoring.
- Data Analytics: Analysing customer data to identify trends and opportunities.
- Lead Generation Tools: Using platforms like LinkedIn Sales Navigator for efficient lead gathering.
2 – Omnichannel Communication:
- Email: Crafting personalised persuasive emails.
- Social Selling: Engaging with prospects on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram
- Virtual Meetings: Conducting demos via tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
- Messaging Apps: For real-time communication.
3 – Content Marketing/Lead Nurturing:
- Content Creation: Producing educational materials to address customer needs.
- SEO Understanding: Ensuring content is discoverable by the correct target audience.
- Lead Nurturing: Automating sequences to keep leads engaged.
4 – Customer-Centricity:
- Consultative Selling: Offering tailored solutions by understanding customer needs.
- Personalisation at scale: Using tools for large-scale targeted outreach.
- Omnichannel Engagement: Maintaining a consistent end-user experience across all platforms.
5 – Social Proof and Trustworthiness:
- Testimonials: Leveraging customer feedback to build personal/brand credibility.
- Influencer Collaboration: Using referential industry influencers to enhance trust and build personal/brand equity.
6 – Data-Driven Decision Making:
- Sales Analytics: Analysing performance metrics for informed decision-making.
- Optimising sales strategies based on test results.
7 – Adaptability and Tech Savvy:
- Staying Updated: Following new technologies and sales trends.
- Learning New Tools: Quickly adapting to emerging sales technologies.
8 – Digital Negotiation:
- Virtual Negotiations: Mastering negotiations through video or email.
- Building Digital Relationships: Fostering trust and creating value online.
- Managing Objections: Overcoming customer hesitations through effective digital communication.
9 – Support and Retention:
- Post-Sale Support: Providing ongoing value and personalised check-ins.
- Cross-selling: Identifying opportunities for additional product offerings.
10 – Digital Networking:
- Building online connections and salient communities by leveraging platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Meetup, The Sales Network etc.
So, digital sales skills are an in-demand combination of technical know-how and personal attributes and abilities. Commercial success today requires proficiency in both the tools of the trade and strategies that can foster meaningful, value-driven interactions with demanding customers who have global solution options at their fingertips. In summary, to stay ahead of your competition in sales today you must be authentic, consistent, trustworthy, commercially savvy and highly client-centric. That’s a given. However, today’s most effective salespeople will also be highly adaptable, data-driven, and willing to continuously learn and evolve so they can thrive in a dynamic digital sales landscape.